Big Little Lies was not just a big critical and commercial success this year, but also a big water-cooler conversation piece. Small town drama, social drama, bitching, backstabbing, oh, and the small matter of a murder. With a cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley, it proved unmissable TV…or HBO to be precise. If you missed out, its release on Blu-ray offers the perfect chance to catch up.
Synopsis:
Big Little Lies is based in the tranquil seaside town of Monterey, California, where nothing is quite as it seems. Doting moms, successful husbands, adorable children, beautiful homes: What lies will be told to keep their perfect worlds from unraveling? Told through the eyes of three mothers — Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Jane (Shailene Woodley) — Big Little Lies paints a picture of a town fueled by rumors and divided into the haves and have-nots, exposing the conflicts, secrets and betrayals that compromise relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors.
The murder mystery at the heart of Big Little Lies is a platform upon which the lives of these women play out, or to be more precise, the catalyst for their collapse. The show is structured in a way that keeps the identity of the perpetrator, and indeed the victim, a mystery until the final episode. It’s a component that undoubtedly adds to the momentum and intrigue within the show, but frankly takes a back seat to exploring the lives of these women. Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon) is struggling with her loveless marriage, the interests of a stage director, and resentment of her ex-husband and his new young wife Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz). Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) has a marriage that is venturing into increasingly abusive territory. Power-suited tiger mom Renata Klein (Laura Dern) is dealing with her daughter being bullied in school, she suspects by the son of area newcomer Jane Chapman, a single mom who has recently moved to Monterray with her young son, intent on distancing them from an incident in her past that continues to darken her thoughts.
It’s possible to expend a few thousand words on the performances of these women alone. Each delivers a stunning turn, allowing insights into different aspects of motherhood; the need to protect and nurture lives alongside darker elements such as competition, jealousy, and even the weaponization of children. From a plethora of melodramatic moments to genuinely affecting, weightier scenes, it’s a truly impressive showcase of their range and nuance. Kidman’s Celeste revealing the extent of her domestic abuse to her psychologist is a standout, not just in the show, but in terms of any performance you’ll see this year. They’re ably supported by notables such as Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott, James Tupper, and Jeffrey Nordling, offering counterpoints and embodying different aspects of male aggression, needs, and manipulation that test these women in their lives. While engrossing fare, there are a number of roles in the series that feel in need of greater fleshing out, Kravitz’s Bonnie and the detective played by Merrin Dungey being the most notable. Also, while the murder mystery adds intrigue and impetus, cutting to interviews with extraneous teachers, parents and members of the community actually starts to feel superfluous, verging on intrusive, as the series progresses. The ending that may be a little neat, but it’s a resolution that feels hard won, and fitting to the undertones of the series about challenges fostering bonds of sisterhood.
The show combines snarky humor with a streak of melancholia to great effect, adding potency with a engaging structure, incorporating flashbacks and flash-forwards, as well as nightmarish visions that blur into reality. It’s a captivating aesthetic, imbued by the assured direction of Jean-Marc Vallée. He uses the camera to reinforce states of isolation, fear, familiarity, and camaraderie. Emotions pulsate on screen, aided by discordant sounds and a on-point soundtrack. Big Little Lies feels very well composed, a self-contained saga in this community, one which I hope is not diluted by any unnecessary sequels. It’s an enthralling peek beneath the veneer of perfection slathered over this community. While drama is rife, it underscores the importance of women, their passion, and how pettiness is tempered by genuine warmth and bonds of sisterhood, made stronger over time and under duress.
The Package
The show looks pristine on Blu-ray. A crisp transfer with excellent color and detail that showcases the beautiful natural scenery of Monterrey, as well as the more vivid sequences in the show.
The release contains all 7 episodes of the mini-series, a digital code for downloadable versions, and a number of extra features:
- Six “Inside the Episode” pieces: Each briefly touching on the events of the episode and how they fit into the overall narrative
- Exclusive extended “About Big Little Lies” piece featuring never-before-seen cast interviews: A short addition that includes some details about adapting the original source material, location scouting, and some interviews with the cast about their respective characters
- Behind-the-scenes footage: Nothing too revealing or insightful sadly
The Bottom Line
Big Little Lies flirts impressively with trashier elements, but maintains its integrity, aided by engrossing writing that peels back information on these characters and community while providing a showcase for an incredible array of female performers.
Big Little Lies is available on DVD and Blu-ray from August 1st